Chapter Eighteen: Fierce Battle Between Han and Mongol

As soon as Zhang Xiao focused his mind, the talisman in his hand radiated a crystalline light, enveloping him completely. The elder’s expression instantly twisted between shock and fury—he hadn’t expected his quarry to slip away right under his nose. Earlier, through a bout of probing, the elder had already discerned that Zhang Xiao’s abilities amounted to little more than that of a minor Yin-Yang Master—equivalent, in cultivation terms, to the Golden Core stage. Yet, contrary to all expectation, Zhang Xiao had managed to escape before his very eyes.

Staring at the now empty chamber, the elder was left simmering with regret. Had he known, he would have unleashed his full power at the outset and finished the boy off. In truth, he could hardly be blamed—Zhang Xiao was wearing the Heaven-Masking Ring, a rare artifact that completely concealed his true strength. The Ghost King stationed in the chamber, meant to keep watch, had been slain by Zhang Xiao with the aid of a divine talisman, further misleading the elder into thinking that even if Zhang Xiao was weaker, he could not be that far off. Thus, he had only tested him without pressing the attack. By the time the elder realized Zhang Xiao was only a mere Yin-Yang Master, Zhang Xiao had already bought enough time to activate the teleportation array within the Xuantian Talisman. When the elder came to his senses, Zhang Xiao had already vanished.

“Damn it! Someone! Have Muraki thrown into the Soul Refining Valley for colluding with outsiders—I want his soul extracted and his spirit refined!” he roared. Still in the great hall, Muraki had no inkling that the wheel of fate was turning, about to bring disaster upon him.

Meanwhile, when Zhang Xiao opened his eyes again, a sigh of relief escaped him at the sight of the gilded pavilions before him. His escape was owed entirely to the Xuantian Talisman in his hand; without it, he might not have survived this ordeal. Thinking of this, Zhang Xiao could not restrain his curses at the wretched nation-building quest he was saddled with. “What a load of trash—this damned quest is trying to get me killed!” he muttered bitterly.

Glancing at his wrist, he saw that a third stage to the quest awaited him, and his head began to ache. Who knew what challenges the third part would bring? No matter—he still had time. He would wait three months for the great teleportation array within the talisman to recharge. With that safeguard, his life was at least half-secure.

“Young master, good news!” At that moment, Ziyan approached, a fragrant cup of tea in her hands, smiling as she offered it to him.

“Oh? What good news? Let me hear it,” Zhang Xiao replied, accepting the tea with a wry smile. He couldn’t imagine any news that would cheer him now.

“Young master, there are still two old monsters trapped in the formation pool outside our cave abode,” Ziyan announced. Zhang Xiao blinked, only then recalling Han Meng and Minel, the two formidable foes. He wondered about their current predicament, but asked in puzzlement, “And this is good news?”

To be fair, had it not been for Carosius’s expertise in spatial formations—which left him greatly weakened upon arrival—Zhang Xiao would not have been confident in defeating him. As for the other two old monsters, he felt no rush; they couldn’t escape anyway, and he could deal with them once his strength had improved. Ziyan, however, knew his thoughts well. Since she insisted she had good news, perhaps it truly was.

Catching Zhang Xiao’s gaze lingering on her, Ziyan’s cheeks flushed as she recalled the scene in the cherry blossom grove not long ago. She smiled, “Young master, one of the old monsters in the formation is gravely injured and on the verge of perishing in the Starlight Annihilation Array.”

Zhang Xiao was taken aback—the power of the Starlight Annihilation Array was something he had experienced firsthand. He asked urgently, “Ziyan, tell me honestly—how long will the spiritual energy sealed within that array last?”

Ziyan, well aware that Zhang Xiao had once been ensnared in that very array, chuckled. “Young master, you were fooled by that jade pendant. The Starlight Annihilation Array was the old master’s proudest creation—the spiritual energy within is sufficient to keep it running for at least ten years.”

“Damn!” Zhang Xiao cursed, leaping to his feet and flying out of the cave. Of the three old monsters, Han Meng was by far the strongest and the one Zhang Xiao most dreaded—not just for his power, but for his uncanny intuition. He had been the first to escape the labyrinth, breaking through the formations by sheer force, only to be halted at the final barrier: the Starlight Annihilation Array. Yet now, Han Meng was at his limit. Bombarded ceaselessly by merciless silver light, his body was covered in wounds, with a hole the size of a baby’s fist in his abdomen. Were it not for his formidable physique, he would have died long ago; even so, he was now barely able to stand.

Zhang Xiao, observing from outside the array, was overjoyed—he had suffered no end of indignities in this foreign land, and now he could vent his frustrations on Han Meng. Without further ado, Zhang Xiao dashed into the array, his entire form radiating golden light. A great Buddhist wheel appeared behind his head—since cultivating the Prajna Sutra to the fifth level, his Immovable Dharma Body had become even more formidable. Yet until now, he had never faced an opponent that forced him to unleash his full power. This was a perfect opportunity to test the might of the fifth level on Han Meng.

Sensing Zhang Xiao’s aura, Han Meng’s eyes flashed with astonishment. He had thought Zhang Xiao had long since perished in one of the formations—after all, Zhang Xiao’s strength had been devastated by Han Meng’s own hands, leaving him gravely wounded. Yet here he was, not only alive but fully recovered, inciting both surprise and fury in Han Meng. If not for Carosius’s intervention, he would have killed this brat himself, sparing himself this humiliating predicament.

Nonetheless, Han Meng did not dare be careless. Gripping his blade with both hands, he lunged at Zhang Xiao, unleashing a wave of fiery battle energy. Zhang Xiao narrowed his eyes and laughed. “Hmph, a dying struggle.” The fiery energy was suddenly intercepted by a massive five-colored banner. Han Meng was startled—he hadn’t expected his fire attribute strike to be blocked. At that moment, Zhang Xiao unleashed the Crystal Demon-Subduing Staff, while his avatar, seated in the Buddhist wheel above, struck the Heavenly Sound Bell, sending a resonance crashing toward Han Meng.

Were this any disciple of the nine great sects, they would have panicked at the sight. But Han Meng, seasoned as he was, met Zhang Xiao’s furious assault with a shield in one hand and a blade in the other, deftly holding his ground. For a moment, Zhang Xiao felt as if a lion were trying to bite a hedgehog—no easy opening could be found. Yet unknown to him, Han Meng’s heart was already in turmoil. As a Sword Saint, he was only a step away from Sword God, yet now he could do nothing but defend against Zhang Xiao’s onslaught. Many factors contributed to this, but if Zhang Xiao were truly weaker, he would never have dared confront Han Meng head-on.

As time wore on, Han Meng’s condition worsened. Silver lights continued to lash at him, and Zhang Xiao’s attacks only grew fiercer and more precise, each blow honed to deadly efficiency.

“You bastard, you despicable wretch—if you have the guts, come fight me outside!” Han Meng cursed, growing ever more frustrated as he realized his end was near. Yet Zhang Xiao ignored his taunts—there was no point quarreling with a man about to die. Brandishing his staff, a golden lotus blossomed and shot toward Han Meng.

With a heavy clang, their weapons collided, locking them in a stalemate. But Zhang Xiao’s avatar behind him seized the chance, striking Han Meng’s left shoulder with the Heavenly Sound Bell. Pain lanced through Han Meng, his focus wavering for a split second—a fatal mistake at their level. In that instant, Zhang Xiao’s staff shifted from a chop to a thrust, striking Han Meng square in the chest and sending him flying. At the same time, countless starlight beams swarmed him. Dizzy from the blow, Han Meng could not defend himself; the starlight tore his flesh, blood erupting in a crimson mist, and his blade slipped from his grasp.

“Hmph! For all your bullying and insults, today your soul will be scattered!” Zhang Xiao roared, his staff transforming into a golden arc, piercing Han Meng’s chest. Han Meng felt a sharp pain, his hand searching for the wound and finding only emptiness, his strength draining away. Gazing at Zhang Xiao, Han Meng laughed. “Ha! To fall in the gutter... kid, I admit... you’re... you’re strong!” With that final effort, he succumbed to the tide of sleep and closed his eyes forever.

Zhang Xiao withdrew his avatar and staff, his feelings mixed as he looked upon Han Meng’s corpse. While Han Meng’s character was questionable, his strength was undeniable. Were it not for Han Meng’s exhaustion and the aid of the Starlight Annihilation Array, Zhang Xiao would have stood no chance. In this battle, his cultivation had not advanced, but his combat prowess had soared—all thanks to Han Meng.

A notification flashed at his wrist: “You have slain the president of the Warrior Guild’s branch, Level 10 Warrior, Sword Saint Han Meng. You have acquired all of Han Meng’s equipment and items. You have earned 4000 battle merits. You are now wanted by all the Warrior Guilds in the Americas.”

Zhang Xiao smiled at the prompt, then approached Han Meng’s body, picking up his sword and shield. Both were first-rate treasures, but ill-suited to him, so he tossed them into his bone ring. He then removed Han Meng’s spatial ring and probed it with his spiritual sense—what he discovered filled him with delight. “As expected of a guild president—so many rare ores and precious materials!” But what pleased Zhang Xiao most was the discovery of a piece of Xuanwu armor within.